Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-19
INTERSTATE COMMERCE..
Two Petitions Presented to the Commits.
sion for lis sCOnsideration-The Commits.
sion Has no jurisdiction TO Answer
Questions Like Those Now Under Con.
sideTatiOn.
WAsHINGrON. April Is

WAsHiNGroN. April Is.
An Application in writing had been made 10
the Interstate commerce commission for its
antwer to the following questions propounded
in behalf of the order OF the railway conduc-
tors:
l. Are railway companies prohibited from
issuing free transportation to the immediate
families of The employees of their own rail-
way?
q Are railway companies prohibited from
issuing free or reduced transport alton to the
officers OF the associations composed exclu-
slvely OF railway employees while those Off
GERS are temporarily out of the railway ser
vice and exclusively employed by those asso-
Citations.
3. Msy railway companies issue passes to
employees of other railways on application of
the employe. aud must such application come
from the officers of the company by which n
is employed?
4. May railway companies issue free or
reduced transportation to those who make
railway service their business or trade, while
temporarily out of employment and in search
of a situation?
5. May railway companies provide free
transportation for delegates to the annual
convention of the association composed ex-
clusively of railway employees, upon certlti
Gates from tine officers of the association that
they are such representatives?
6. If free transportation may be furnished
to the representatives described in question
five, must all such representatives be actually
in the employ of some railway or may il in
clude those who may be temporarily out OF
employment and those temporarily engaged
in other employments as officers of such asso-
citation?
I. If free transportation is provided for
the delegates described 10 question five, may
it include members OF the immediate families
of the delegates?
s, If free tran'portlon or reduced rates
are provided for the representatives of any
one ass ociaton, must the same be extended
to all others which are composed exclusively
of railway employees, on application!
Another application has been made to the
commission on behalf of the traders and
travellers union, stating that the system
under which the additional allowance of free
baggage which has heretofore been carried by
commercial travellers subject TO written
agreement for registry and indemnlfcatlon,
which system the commission is requested
TO examine carefully and advise us if there is
any reason why railroad company desiring
TO do so should not enter into such an ar
rangement to grant under the stated terms OF
increased allowance of free baggage. These
two petitions were presented by highly re-
spectacle organiz ltions, and the raising ques-
tions of immediate practical Importance are
representatives of large number OF similar
applications which have been made to the
commission for its construction of the pro-
visions of the act to regulate commerce, as
| applied to the various points at which those
provisions touch the customs Cf the port.
They have been selected simply as they midi
cate the general character of all and ems BILE
the commiss sion to announce certain couclu
sions to which it has arrived respecting its
jurisdiction and its powers. 1t Is obvious
| from the tenor of such applications as these
which reach US by every mail that the i'm
preston is generally prevalent that this
| commission has power to construe, interpret
apply the law as preliminary judgment.
We are continually appealed to for decisions
in advance as to whether common carriers,
said to be willing to adopt certain methods OF
dealing in respect to inter State commerce.
can do so without subjecting themselves to
the penalties provided by the statute for vio-
lating its provisions. Careful reading Of the
"act to regulate commerce." under which
this commission is organized, will show to
petitioners and others who have made SINH
| lar applc cations that no jurisdiction has been
given US to answer questions like those un-
der consideration. The expression of our
opinion upon these subjects at this time, be-
| ing neither duty imposed nor power confer
| red by the statute would carry with it 10 Ju-
dicial efficacy or sanction; in fact it would be
| no more useful to the public or carriers than
the opinion of other men upon the same
| points.